Thanks for the advice Lynns.
I'll do the hydro. oil change. Anyway I do not go much top down, too hot in the day when I'm on the road.
This is the best quality car I ever had, maybe just beside my old 1989 300SE.
Regards.
IMHO, all the more reason to do the RST oil change. If the oil just sits there in the kind of heat that you have WE have determined that this may contribute to the degridation of the HC seals.
Let us know what kind of color the oil is when you first take a look at it compared to the new clear oil. Pictures would be even better.
a very easy DIY. (I showed the shop how to do it).
The oil looked better than expected, Maybe somebody changed it before I got the car.
It had a green/yellow colour, more or less like olive oil, and probably need to be replaced.
(Sorry, no pics).
HOWEVER, I ordered the MB p/n 00098910310 or Febi-Bilstein p/n 02615 = p/n 0009899103 = p/n L7070-97881. The shop could only get the "FINKE DEXRON III that confirm with MB-Blat 236.1 + 236.5. This was what "the experts" in Beirut recommended.
Vehicle: MB SL600, MB 380SE, Suzuki Grand Vitara, 38' Chris-Craft, Volvo V70XC, and my own two feet...
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,209
I also taught my shop how to do mine, and had it done last week. They are probably the highest-volume MB/BMW indy in the state, and the owner told me this was the first time that anyone had ever asked that this service be performed on an R129 or R230. They also said the new fluid was almost clear, and the old fluid had picked up water, had a lot of crap floating in it, the tank was sludgy, and the old fluid looked generally looked pretty nasty. They were initially surprised at my request, and actually argued with me at first about doing it, as this is another one of those allegedly "lifetime" fluids according to MBUSA (ya rite). After they did it, they said they'd remember this as a recommendation for future customers.
So I have to give credit to Lynn & Co. for this maintenance tip, this one broke new ground, and taught some old dogs a new trick. Price was minimal, I think it was .5hr labor and the cost of the fluid. I guess it remains to be seen whether it has any effect on the degradation of the seals in the RST hydraulic cylinders, but even if it has no effect whatsoever on those, it's still better for the pump, valve block, etc. They drained the tank and found a bunch of sludgy stuff in the bottom, same as the other members who've done it and posted photos. This fluid clearly breaks down and need to be changed, despite what MB says.
__________________
"Veni, Vidi, volo in domum redire." (I came, I saw, I want to go home.)
HOWEVER, I ordered the MB p/n 00098910310 or Febi-Bilstein p/n 02615 = p/n 0009899103 = p/n L7070-97881. The shop could only get the "FINKE DEXRON III that confirm with MB-Blat 236.1 + 236.5. This was what "the experts" in Beirut recommended.
Any thoughts about this oil? Hope it works.
I am by NO means a hydraulic oil specialist so I am unable to address your question but to tell you that this system is not like an engine or transmission oil where many different types can be used. I have stated that I feel comfortable promoting the Febi product because this is what M-B uses in there branded containers. When I Search FINKE DEXRON III it comes back as an Automatic transmission fluid after translation at Finke Dexron III 20 Liter and I'm NOT comfortable with combining the M-B seals and pump with AT fluid since I don't think it falls into the mineral oil category.
Why couldn't they get 2 liters of the Febi 06215 product?
I also taught my shop how to do mine, and had it done last week. They are probably the highest-volume MB/BMW indy in the state, and the owner told me this was the first time that anyone had ever asked that this service be performed on an R129 or R230. They also said the new fluid was almost clear, and the old fluid had picked up water, had a lot of crap floating in it, the tank was sludgy, and the old fluid looked generally looked pretty nasty. They were initially surprised at my request, and actually argued with me at first about doing it, as this is another one of those allegedly "lifetime" fluids according to MBUSA (ya rite). After they did it, they said they'd remember this as a recommendation for future customers.
So I have to give credit to Lynn & Co. for this maintenance tip, this one broke new ground, and taught some old dogs a new trick. Price was minimal, I think it was .5hr labor and the cost of the fluid. I guess it remains to be seen whether it has any effect on the degradation of the seals in the RST hydraulic cylinders, but even if it has no effect whatsoever on those, it's still better for the pump, valve block, etc. They drained the tank and found a bunch of sludgy stuff in the bottom, same as the other members who've done it and posted photos. This fluid clearly breaks down and need to be changed, despite what MB says.
Chris,
So it took a trip to the MB dealer to determine that "mineral oil" absorbs water?
Allowing water in the system in the hothouse of Florida will rust steel pistons and pit steel tubing and hopefully you will sell the car before this leads to any serious loss of pump pressure. Ever seen the pitting corrosion in brake pistons?
The o-ring seals abrade and the debris will in time clog the orifice-like solenoid valves, but again, probably only after many years of neglect.
I don't think MB really planned to support these cars after 10-12 years so most are off the charts as far as they are concerned.
Lynns, "Mineral oil" is the refined stuff you get in the drug store as a laxative. Since its medically pure it will work great in the Benz in an emergency.
Don't worry Lynns. I am not easily offended.
What I meant was that everybody in Lebanon knows much better than anybody else, as with what oil shall be used.
Thanks, will get the correct oil ASAP.
Regards.
per300,
I think you are wise to get the correct oil for extended use. The Dextron is a mineral oil that has a lot of additives that do not help and may hurt the components in the hydraulic system. One that has come up before is the "seal conditioner" which is probably bad. You won't do any harm using it temporarily but the long term use is just not justified given the expensive repair costs involved in any hydraulic component failure.
I respect the reasoning that the local dealer used in specifying the Dextron, but he was probably not thinking of nor did he know of the possible long term consequences.
If I was on the road, I would use the same thing to get home without any concern. Its easy enough to change out.
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